The weekly messenger. [volume] (St. Martinsville [i.e. St. Martinville] La.) 1886-1948, 1887-05-28

and an excellent workman. So he turn
ed on his heel and whistled. Mr.. Cad
ford glared at him savagely out OF the
corner of his eye, and had it on his lips
to order the music stopped, but Thought
better of it, and pounded his thumb
with the hammer instead.
Blaketon could boast of but one dry
goods store, but that was an unusually
large and extensive one for so small
place. Mr.. Silas Upton, the proprietor,
had done a thriving business that pleas
ant April day and he watched the sun
declining behind the hills with no par
ticular regret. But trade was not
done vet, apparently, for no less per-
son than our friend jerry Altman enter
ed and advanced toward the counter.
'And what can l do for you, my
fricnds" inquired the merchant, rub
bling his hands and smiling blandly.
"But very little, sir; hardly worth
your time and trouble; only q pair OF
suspenders, and not very expensive
ones either"
"Hcre they are, strong as rope as
elastic as-as you are, l take 1t, glanc-
ing at the young mans well-knlt frame.
"They look like good ones, that's a
fact. You needn't mind doing them up.
L will pay you Saturday night when L
get my wages.
With delft movement, Mr.. Upton
snatched the suspenders from the pur-
chasers hands and tossed them back in
to the box, with the words:
"Don't begin in that way, young
man, Don't start out in life by asking
credit. Come, let me give you lesson.
Pay as you go. If you don't pay, don't
buy, That is the way l began. It's
the only way to begin. Don't spend
your money before you get it. That's
my advice. and you'll thank me for it
some day"
1t is needless to inform the reader
that our friend Jerry was somewhat as
tonishcd, not to say embarrassed, ut the
turn affairs had taken. He knew wei
enough, disguise it under the form of
advice us he might, that the merchant
hesitated to trust him even for so small
a sum. He had never before felt so
lowered in his OWN estimation. This
did him good. His thoughts flew fast.
Suppose he should act on the advice so
IL NstS oOulltt
Let him show no ill-will and bear it like
a man. This resolution was taken, he
held out his grimy hand with the words:
You have hit me hard, Mr.. Upton,
and should lie to you if said it didn't
hurt. But think it'll do me good. L
am pretty sure 1 shall never forget
| it. Will you shake hands, sirl"
1t was now the merchants turn to
show perplexity. 1t is very likely he
would have preferred losing the whole
box of suspenders to such hearty ac-
ceptance of his fatherly counsel. With
an embarrassed smile he took the out
stretched hand, and WINGED as he felt
the firm pressure of the fingers against
his own. His well of advice being
pumped dry, he had nothing more to
add as his would-bc customer touched
his hat and departed.
At precisely half-past six o'clock Sat-
ur,lay night jerry entered the store and
purchased pair of suspenders paying
for them on the spot. The clerk made
the sale, and Mr.. Upton, busted with
his books, looked up with "a perplexed
countcnance, scratched the bridge of
his nose rciiectively, and WAS lost again.
81 tell You he's above his bis'ness !"
exclaimed Mr.. Gadford, one bright May
morning, to a group of his old cronies,
who lounSed about. the Harbor, engaged
in idle conversation. There's no
doubt about that in my mind. Apretty
blacksmith he is, to be everlastin'ly
readin' and studyin'! He isn't one Of
us, that he isn't. I've tried my best to
reform him, but faint no use. He's in
a manner-in manner, l say, dis.
grace to the trade, and I'm ashamed OF
him." and the outraged blacksmith
kicked piece of iron spitefully one side
with his heavy boot, and began filling